Welcome to MA007: Algebra

Specific information about this course and its requirements can be found below. For more general information about taking Saylor Academy courses, including information about Community and Academic Codes of Conduct, please read the Student Handbook.

Course Description

Learn how to use algebra for a variety of everyday tasks like calculating the change you will get back after a purchase, analyzing relationships by graphing, and describing real-world situations in business, accounting, and science.

Course Introduction

Algebra allows us to solve many different types of calculations by using basic formulas and steps that work regardless of the specific numbers in the problem. For example, we can use an algebraic formula to calculate a monthly payment or to pay off a loan of any size using a given interest rate. In this course, we explore how to use standard mathematical and business formulas and how to translate verbal descriptions into mathematical equations to establish relationships and create predictions. In the later units, we explore how to use graphs to make these same predictions. You can apply the problem-solving strategies we discuss in this course to business, science, and many other fields. To succeed in this introductory course, you should know how to perform operations with real numbers, including negative numbers, fractions, and decimals. Be sure to review our Foundations of Real World Math course if you need a refresher!

This course includes the following units:

Unit 1: Number Properties. Unit 2: Linear Equations. Unit 3: Word Problems. Unit 4: Inequalities. Unit 5: Graphs of Linear Equations and Inequalities. Unit 6: Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities. Unit 7: Operations with Monomials. Unit 8: Operations with Polynomials. Unit 9: Factoring Polynomials

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

[1] evaluate and simplify algebraic expressions; [2] solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable; [3] solve systems of linear equations and inequalities; [4] solve literal equations for a given variable; [5] translate verbal phrases into algebraic (variable) expressions; [6] define percent, and solve basic percent problems; [7] apply simple interest formula to problems involving loans and savings accounts; [8] apply uniform motion formula to problems involving the motion of one or two objects; [9] solve word problems by identifying a variable and creating an equation or an inequality; [10] solve word problems by identifying two or more variables and creating a system of equations or inequalities; [11] plot points on the coordinate plane, and determine the coordinates of any point on the coordinate plane; [12] graph linear equations and inequalities in two variables on the coordinate plane; [13] calculate the slope of a line passing through two given points; [14] write an equation of a straight line in point-slope or slope-intercept form; [15] solve word problems by creating a graph of a straight line and interpreting the meaning of the slope and intercepts of the line in the context of a problem; [16] perform operations with algebraic, exponential expressions using the rules of exponents; [17] perform operations with polynomials; [18] identify polynomials that can be factored and determine the appropriate factoring strategy; and [19] identify the proper method to factor a given polynomial and use it to solve a quadratic equation.

Throughout this course, you will also see learning outcomes in each unit. You can use those learning outcomes to help organize your studies and gauge your progress.

Course Materials

The primary learning materials for this course are articles, lectures, and videos.

All course materials are free to access and can be found in each unit of the course. Pay close attention to the notes that accompany these course materials, as they will tell you what to focus on in each resource and will help you understand how the learning materials fit into the course as a whole. You can also see a list of all the learning materials in this course by clicking on Resources in the navigation bar.

Evaluation and Minimum Passing Score

Only the final examination is considered when awarding you a grade for this course. To pass this course, you will need to earn 70% or higher on the final exam. The exam will be password-protected and requires a proctor.

Your score on the exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. There is a 14 days waiting period between each attempt. You may only attempt the final exam a maximum of 3 times. Be sure to study in between each attempt! If you do not pass the exam after 3 attempts, you will not complete this course.

There is also a practice exam that you may take as many times as you want to help you prepare for the final exam. The course also contains end-of-unit assessments in this course. The end-of-unit assessments are designed to help you study and do not factor into your final course grade. You can take these as many times as you want to until you understand the concepts and material covered. You can see all of these assessments by clicking on Quizzes in the course's navigation bar.

Tips for Success

MA007: Algebra is a self-paced course, meaning you can decide when to start and complete the course. We estimate the "average" student will take 35 hours to complete. We recommend studying at a comfortable pace and scheduling your study time in advance.

Learning new material can be challenging, so here are a few study strategies to help you succeed:

  • Take notes on terms, practices, and theories. This helps you understand each concept in context and provides a refresher for later study.
  • Test yourself on what you remember and how well you understand the concepts. Reflecting on what you've learned improves long-term memory retention.

Technical Requirements

This course is delivered entirely online. You will need access to a computer or web-capable mobile device and consistent internet access to view or download resources and complete auto-graded assessments and the final exam.

To access the full course, including assessments and the final exam, log into your Saylor Academy account and enroll in the course. If you don’t have an account, you can create one for free here. Note that tracking progress and taking assessments require login.

For more details and guidance, please review our complete Technical Requirements and our student Help Center.

Optional Saylor Academy Mobile App

You can access all course features directly from your mobile browser, but if you have limited internet connectivity, the Saylor Academy mobile app provides an option to download course content for offline use. The app is available for iOS and Android devices.

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Fees

This course is entirely free to enroll in and access. All course materials, including textbooks, videos, webpages, and activities, are available at no charge. This course also contains a free final exam and course completion certificate.